Synthesis, radii dependent self-assembly crystal structures and luminescent properties of rare earth (III) complexes with a tripodal salicylic derivative.

Five new rare earth complexes with a new flexible tripodal salicylic ligand (H(3)L), 2,2'-(2-((2-carboxyphenoxy)methyl)-2-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(oxy)dibenzoic acid, of formulae [La(2)L(2)(DMF)(4)]·4DMF·4EtOH·2H(2)O (1), [Eu(2)L(2)(DMF)(4)]·2DMF (2), {[GdL(DMF)(H(2)O)(2)]·DMF}(∞) (3), {[TbL(DMF)(H(2)O)(2)]·DMF}(∞) (4) and {[YL(DMF)(H(2)O)(2)]·DMF}(∞) (5) (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been prepared. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 present a cage-like homodinuclear species, while 3-5 show a helical one-dimensional coordination polymer. All these complexes are further connected by hydrogen bonds or π-π interactions, resulting in 3D supramolecular structures. The photophysical properties of the Eu and Tb complexes are investigated in the solid state at room temperature.